This week I decided to neglect all things more pressing and make myself a new fall bag. The pattern is Anna Maria Horner's Multi-Tasker Tote, which my sweet friend Heidi was kind enough to loan me. She sews like a boss, by the way.
This bag is ginormous. Which is great, because I've been carrying the same ugly boring diaper bag since my 3.5 year old was born. This definitely has enough cargo space to replace it. And the pocket panels on each side are actually divided, so there are four outside pockets for easy access to phones, wallets, behavior bribery, etc.
This was a great pattern to follow. The construction of the bag is unlike any other I've sewn before, but it really makes a lot of sense. The boxed bottom is nice and sturdy with a double layer of peltex inside. Of course a bag this large requires a lot of fabric- I think it was supposed to be 1 yard for the exterior and 2 yards for the lining, pocket panels, and straps. But I really wanted to use this awesome Melody Miller panel I got down at Whipstitch in June (when I met Melody!) So I used three different fabrics I had on hand for the rest of it- Some AMH panels, some Valori Wells lining, and some Tina Givens straps (I think?). I love using up my stash so much. It almost gives me the same rush I get when I buy new fabric. Almost. So the resulting Franken-bag is a bit crazy, but I'm digging all the fall colors together. And the Melody fabric really makes it seem like 2 different bags with the different colors on each side.
Here's the very roomy inside. I kinda wish I had added another one of those pockets on the other side big enough for Elsie's diapers. It will still work though.
Now, if you would do me a kindness? My Japanese + & x quilt made it to the top 5 quilts in the scrap category at the Blogger's Quilt Festival! Go here to vote for me, just scroll down to the last category and you'll find it. I'd love it so much if you did!
